Australians will recognise all the names, but others might not. Click on the links above to find out more about each performer.

The arboretum’s natural amphitheatre with groves of trees and Canberra in the background

This amazing shindig was staged at our National Arboretum, which was created after Canberra’s devastating bush fires in 2003. Part of the arboretum is a large natural amphitheatre, which is perfect for concerts.

The venue opened at 4pm and we arrived at the gate about that time. But let me explain our arrival and exit plans. I tried to organise the shuttle bus service for drop-off and pick-up, but it was booked out. So I leaned on Vicky, our friend and neighbour. ‘Would you take us to the event, if we can get our own way home?’ She said, ‘Sure.’

So much earlier in the day (about noon), Poor John drove our car to a convenient (but little known) parking place near the arboretum, and rode home on my bike (the lighter of our two bikes).

Kare Ceberano

Bless Vicky for driving us to the event. It’s an hour of her life that she’ll never get back. It shouldn’t have been like that.

Let me explain. There was a lane for cars and a lane for shuttle buses. But suddenly about 50 cars decided to shift to the ‘shuttle bus’ lane. Geez, these are the people who think rules never apply to them. It screwed up everything, and caused a huge traffic jam and no access for the shuttle buses.

I wasn’t devastated to have missed the first performance and most of the second, but I was super irked by the thoughtlessness shown by some people. Luckily, their bad behaviour was soon forgotten.

Lucy Sugerman

Now I should explain how we happened to have tickets. My birthday was in September. For a present, our daughters gave me two reserved tickets—so Poor John and I had seats instead of having to sit on the grass—and a cheese and charcuterie platter.

After we chose our seats, Poor John went to collect the platter. It was a great combination with four or five each of various cheeses and meats, as well as sultanas, fresh bread and crackers. It was more than enough to serve as dinner.

The Black Sorrows with Vika and Linda

So what were the highlights. For starters, the setting was brilliant. The arboretum overlooks the city and the lake in the middle. The stage blocked a lot of the view, but it was still a perfect location.

We arrived just in time to hear Lucy Sugerman’s last song. She’s a Canberra girl and was a finalist in the most recent showing of The Voice. She graduated from Year 12 the day before the concert.

Was great to see sisters, Vika and Linda. I’ve always loved their music and have seen them live before. I had not realised their career got its start with The Black Sorrows in 1988. Also loved Kate Ceberano’s rendition of the late Chrissy Amphlett’s I touch myself, which has become an anthem for breast cancer awareness.

I was there as a birthday present, and there was another special birthday on the night. The audience sang Happy Birthday to Kate Ceberano. I won’t mention her age or mine.

But did I mention the sunset?

The sunset cast a golden glow on the arboretum hills in front of Black Mountain Tower

Guys with telecasters, girls in short skirts with acoustic guitars, geezers with microphones and female singers with too many band members – This could have been the Texas state fair, any California wine country venue or pick your location. There is a universality to music festivals. Played a few. The venue here reminds me of a comment James Taylor made at the Starples amphi one night. “I love intimate settings like this. Me, a guitar, the band and 60,000 of my closest friends.”
Which was far kinder than Dave Matthews at the outdoor palooza deal I took my daughter and a full Cherokee of 13 year old girls to (rock n roll dad duty). Dave looked out at the hillside full of people at dusk, said “Hello Austin! Home of more bad music per square mile than any place on Earth!” Well, of course he was right, but…
Good for Poor John. We went to see Chris Botti the other night, stopped on the way home at a 24 hour Jack in the Box at midnight like we were 20 something…makes for a long weekend…

Yes. The Dad who will sit under a tree all day while stupid young people who drink and don’t eat in the heat start to barf around 4 and my charges have run wild all day know to show up at the tree on time or they won’t go next time. And lord knows ALL 13 year old girls want to go where they aren’t supposed to. And a dad crazy enough to take them and wait? “How cool is that?”

Very cool indeed. Reminds me of the time I took my 15-year-old twin sisters and 14 of their friends to drill team camp in Colorado. Not one parent was willing to take them, so I did. It was my only week of holiday from my job.

What an amazing birthday gift to have two reserved seats! I’m sorry the transport was a bit of a nightmare, but hurrah for Vicky saving the day to drive you guys there. An unforgettable experience! 🙂
Caz xx

What a fabulous evening. I’ve never seen the arboretum, and the amphitheatre was definitely constructed after I moved to Canada. I have long-time friends who were caught in that fire. Of the 24 houses on their street all but 10 were incinerated. Theirs was one that the fire jumped over.
OMG John Farnham takes me back to my teenage years when he was a BIG STAR and known as Johnny Farnham.
Alison

I’m not sure how much ‘construction’ was needed to create the arboretum. A lot of it seems to follow the natural contour of the earth.
We also have multiple friends who were caught in the fire. Except for one, all their homes were saved.

What a great lineup. My favourites would be the Black Sorrows (haven’t heard anything of them for years) and Vicka and Linda. And it looks like a wonderful venue which will be even better when those trees grow.

I’ve always love Vika and Linda. First knew of them when their songs were used in the TV series ‘Sea Change’. Thanks for mentioning the venue. I should go back and photograph the arboretum. It’s coming along.

A fabulous event, with great music and in a very beautiful place. I well remember Kate Ceberano’s piece – and she is a lot younger than me! – and loved it. The night out was lovely birthday gift for Poor John.